Combined phonograph and radio receiving cabinet



May 20, 1930. A TH MAS 1,759,143

COMBINED PHONOGRAPH AND RADIO RECEIVING CABINET Original Filed May 20, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR A. A: THoMA s I COMBINED 'PHONOGRAPH; AND RADIO RECEIVING CABINET May 20,-

2 Sheets-Sheet '2 M ori -i nai F iiled May20. 1922 IN VEN TOR gsteneimay 20, 1930 M 1,759,143

. UNITED, STATES: PATENT OFIFIICE v ADOLPH ALEXANDER THOMAS, 015 NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO RADIO CORPORA- TION OF AMERICA, OF I N'EW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE commit]: rironoeanrn AND rmmo RECEIVING CABINET Original application filed llay 2o, 1e22, Serial No. 562,278. Patent No. 1,652,219, dated December 31,

1927. Divided and. this application filed May 16, 1923. Serial No. 639,240.

My invention relatesin general to the art expensive. Also, such devicesdetract from of reproducing sound, and its object is to prothe neat appearance of a room, aside from videa new and improved apparatus adapted the fact that they take up considerable space for combined-radio and phonographic reprd-itnd require exposed wiring to the radio set.

. heretofore constructed, was a separate plece 5 duction.

-In radio-receiving outfits, it has been sug -gested to. use indoor loop aerials or antennae where outdoor aerials could not be installed,-'as, -for instance, in apartment houses, hotel rooms, etc. The loop aerial, as

of apparatus, quite as much as .an outdoor aerial,,- andgit not only required additional space, but necessitated exposed'wire connections to the rest of the radio outfit.-

In fact, one of the worst objections to radio receivers,especially in the small apartments ofcity dwellers, has been their unsightliness. With a long box, a set ofbatteries, a loop, a

' o loudspeaker, and exposed wiring, scattered all over the room and collecting dust, radioreceiving outfits made an apartment look lilie a laboratory and were highly objectionable, especially to the housewife.

A separate loop is undesirable for several reasons. In the first place, as already mentioned, it is an individual mechanism, un-

sightly at best, for which a place must be found in the room.- Besides, separate loops are expensive, sincethey require a special frame and stand. Then, the connecting wires from the loop to the receiving set are necessarily exposed andmay be of considerable length, perhaps running across the room. Such wires, particularly if they are of appreciable length, are liable to act as a horizontal receiving antenna and thus interfere with the proper operation of the loop. Furthermore, it is known that leads in a radio frequency circuit have inherent capacity.

Now, the capacity of leads running from a separate loop to a receiving set may have an unbalancing eifect 'on the loop If a personshould disarrange the wires, "as may easily happen with exposed long connections in 'a room, their inherent capacity isdisturbed and the set may be thrown out of tune.

As for separate loudspeakers heretofore used in connection with radio sets, those of large amplifying power are cumbersome and entlythereof.

It is the object of my invention to overcome the foregoing and other diflicultiesand objections of radio-receiving apparatus heretofore constructed, and to that end I provide new and improved apparatus in the form of a combined radio-receiving and phonograph cabinet. Z

According-to one feature of my invention, I produce a combined radio-receiving and phonograph cabinet in which the receiving ceiving cabinet of my invention, the amplifya ing horn of the phonograph mechanism also acts as a sound amplifier for the telephone receiver .of the radio-receiving mechanism. By thus making a single amplifier performa double function, I dispense with the necessity of. a separate loudspeaking horn for the radio-receiving set. When the cabinet is to be operated for radio reception, it is only necessary to substitute the telephone receiver of,

the radio outfit for the phonograph sound box. In this connection, I have provided means'whereby a telephone receiver, especially a loudspeaking receiver, may be acoustically connected with the amplifying phonograph horn without the n'ecessity'of first taking off the sound box. ner of carrying out this novel idea, I employ an improved tone arm so. constructed. that the telephone receiver may be attached without removal of the sound box and independ- When' the receiving antenna is incorpo- In the preferred ma nrated in the body-or framework of the cabinet I insuch a way that itcannotbe adjusted indepeiulcntly of the cabinet, the latter is preferably mounted to rotate on a. base, so that the receiving antenna may readily be adjusted into the desired direction. This is a very simple and easy way to adjust the antenna, especially when the cabinet is of the upright style.

In order to explain my invention to those skilled in the art, I shall describe in detail the structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combined phonograph and radio-rec iving cabinet constructed in accordance with my invention, certain parts being broken away for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section, on an enlarged scale, of the cabinet shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 IS a plan view, partly in section, of my new tone arm for permitting attachment of a telephone receiver without removing the sound box;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view in cross-section, approximately on line H of Fig. 3, illustrating how the opening at the end of the tone arm is normally closed when the sound box is in playing position;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing how a telephone receiver may be attached to the tone arm without removing the sound box when the latter is out of playing positron;

Fig. 6 is a plan view, partly in section, of a modified construction of tone arm to which the receiver of a radio outfit may be attached without removing the sound box; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 6, showing a telephone receiver attached to the tone arm, the sound box being shown out of playing osition.

Referring to igs. 1 and 2, the outer framework or body of the cabinet is indicated as a whole by G. The outer upright walls of this cabinet are substantially rectangular in outline andcomprise a front wall 1, sides 2 and 3, and a back wall 4. When Iuse the terms front and back, I do so merely in a relative sense, for it is immaterial which is considered the front and which the back of the cabinet. The body of the cabinet is preferably constructed of wood or'other nonmetallic material, and may be as ornamental as desired. Along the rear edge or outline of the cabinet is a groove or recess 5 in which is mounted a loop antenna or aerial indicated as a whole by L. In the instance illustrated,-

the antenna consists of a number of loops of wire of suitable conducting material, the

loops being out of electrical contact with each other, as indicated in Fig. 2. In the construction which I prefer at the present time, the loop antenna L follows generally the edge or outline of one side-of the cabinet and is in the form of a rectangle. The antenna is preferably covered with a non-metallic strip or strips 6, which may be in the form of an ornamental molding of wood or other suitable material. In this way the antenna is concealed from view and becomes to all intents and purposes an integral part of the cabinet itself. N or does the. antenna occupy any available space within the cabinet. Broadly speaking, it may be said that antenna L is supported on a framework in the cabinet. Preferably, as in the instance illustrated, the supporting frame for the loop wires is part of the cabinet structure, thereby eliminating the cost of a separate loop frame and adding to the compactness of the cabinet as a whole.

The cabinet C is equipped with phonograph reproducing mechanism of any approved construction, which I need not show or describe in detail. It is sufiicient that I have indicated a turntable 7 forholding records 'in' playing position, a suitable motor M for operating the turntable, a tone arm 8 having a sound box or reproducer 9, and an amplifying horn II. This horn, as in all standard or accepted makes of phonographs, is rigidly built into the cabinet and may be of any desired shape or material. By a rigidly mounted horn I mean a horn that is rigid against bod-.

that is necessarily rigid against vibration of its walls due to the passage of sound waves therethrough. The lower portion of the cabily movement within the cabinet and not one inet is divided into a pair of chambers 10 and 11. The chamber 10 may be provided with suitable shelves 12 for holding records. I The chamber 11 preferably extends across the cabinet from front to back. The. front of the chambers 10 and 11 is closed by a door or" doors 13, and the back of chamber 11 may be closed by a door 14. In general I may say' that the partition K divides'the cabinet into two compartmentsone compartment (in this instance the upper) for the phonographic f reproducing mechanism and theothercom partment for the radio apparatus to be pres ently referred to. The specific location and arrangement of the compartment or recess for supporting the radio set in thecabinet, or within the outer confines thereof, are immaterial and will naturally vary 'in accordance with the size, style and design of the cabinet. j

In the chamber 11 is a suitable" ra'dio-receiving. set, indicated as a whole by R. As

there are many kinds and style of'such sets a on the market, ranging in price from a few dollars to several hundred rollars, and as the construction and operation of these sets are well understood, I do not consider it necessary to show or describe any structural details of the set R, particularly since the construction of this set does not in and of itself form a part of my invention. It will, therefore, be understood that the set R is representative of, any suitable form or type of radio receiving set. In the rear part of chamber 11 are batteries E, which may be taken as indicativeof any suitable type of radio batteries on the market. Batteries'E may in.-

antenna L, radio-set W and receiver'15 are. properly connected in circuit with batteries E. As these connections, (or hook-ups, as

' they are popularly called) are well understood, even by the vast army of radio amateurs, it will not benecessary to show or describe them. It is enough that I have diagrammatically indicated an electrical connec tion a from set R to thetelephone' receiver 15, and circuit connections I) from batteries E to set R. The ends of the loop antenna -L are led out at any suitable point, usually from the bottom wires, for ready connection to receiving set R. As these connections are well understood, I need only to show a. pair of wires w leading from opposite ends of loop L to appropriate binding posts 3 on radio set "R. Itis usual to shun-t a variableicondenser' across the loop terminals for tuning, as rastruction of cabinet shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

the height of the loop. is approximately equal to the height of the body of the cabinet. This provides a loop of maximum receiving power, and yet occupying no space, practically speaking. As will be clear to those skilled in this art, a large loop with few turns of wire is more desirable than a small loop with a greater number of turns. So that, my new radio cabinet combines efiiciency with'compactness in a high degree.

It hasbeen found that in the use ,of loop antennae, the reception of radio transmission is most satisfactory when the plane of the loop is in the direction of the transmitting station; or, to put it differently, when the horizontal turns of the loop point'toward the transmitting station; In order to permit a quick and easy adjustment of the loop antenna L. in the proper direction, I mount the cabinet C so as to rotate on a base D. Any

the top, as shown at F in jgllhe lid is omitted in Fig. 1 for the sake o clearness.

' As the radio set R and batteries E possess considerable weight, it is preferable to mount them on diametrically opposite sides of the pivot 16 of the cabinet, as best shown in Fig. 2, so that their weights may counterbalance each other, if not fully, at least to some extent.

The receiver 15 represents a loud-speak ing telephonereceiver of any approved type,

.of which there are various makes in the market. The receiver is connected in circuit through a flexible conductor 18, which is shown as a part or continuation of the conductor a. A small weight 19 maybe slidably attached to conductor 18, which extends through a hole 20 of the motor board B. When the cabinet is used as a phonograph, the receiver ,15 rests on the board B over the hole 20,:the weight 19 keeping the conductor 18 out of sight. In other words, when the receiver 15 is not in use it-rests in the recess or shallow chamber 0 formed between the. top edge of the cabinet and the motor board B. To operate the cabinet for radio reception, the soundbox 9-is replaced by the receiver lo which is constructed to fit in place of the sound box at the outer end of tone arm 8, whereby the sound vibrations of the receiver pass through the tone arm and out of the amplifying horn H. In place of a single receiver 15, a pair of so-called head-phones may be used. r

As previously stated, one of the features ofmy invention consists in the provision of means whereby the telephone receiver of'the radio set may be acoustically connected with the phonograph horn without removal of the sound box and independently thereof. This idea may be carried out in-various ways. In

the present instance, I employ an adjustable valve for connecting the receiver'wit h the amplif ing horn without taking olf the sound box. 11 the particular embodiment .shown in the drawings, I locate the adjustable valve at the outer end of the tone arm, so as to utilize the entire length of the amplifying sound conduit extending from the outer end of the tone arm to the mouth of the horn in gradually increasing size.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the tone arm 8 is provided at its outer end with a curved lateral extension 21. This extensiomcalled a goose-neck in the par ticular form shown by way of example, is at its inner end swivelled on the cylindrical mounting or bearing portion-22 of the tone arm, as shown in Fig.3, and carries atits outer end the usual sound box or reproducer 9. The transverse bearing part 22 is a lateral offset portion of the main or base portion of the tone arm. The tone arm 8 is provided with a tubular extension 23 having an opening 24. The inner end of the curved tube 21 is so constructed as'to close the opening 24 when the sound box is in playing position and to ant-over said opening automatically when the sound box is moved out of playing position. For this purpose the inner end of tube 21 has a valve portion 25 and a cutaway portion 26. \Vhen the sound box 9 is in playing position, the-curved valve 25 fits snugly against the opening 24 and closes the same, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. WVhen the sound box is swung back out of playing position (as roughl indicated in Fig. 5 by dotted lines 21), in' which it is held by any suitable means,the cutaway portion 26 comes into alignment with the opening 24. thereby placing the extension 23- in communication with the tone arm, so that a telephone receiver T, or other source of sound vibrations, may be attached to the tone arm and acoustically connected therewith. Thus, we have a cabinet capable of being used equally well as a phonograph and for radio reception, without any removing, mutilating. or interchanging of parts of the phonograph mechanism. It will be understood, of course, that the sound vibrations of the receiver T pass through the tone arm and from there through the amplifying horn H, just the same as when the sound box is used.

Attention is called to the fact that the opening Qi is in line with the main body of the tone arm. so that the vibrations of the diaphragm in telephone receiver T pass through the tone arm in a direct path free from undue turns. The opening 2% may be regarded as an opening in an off-set portion of the tone arm. The position of this off-set portion, while shown at the outer end of the tone. arm in the drawings,.1m1 v vary in different designs and makes of tone arms.

In the modified form of tone arm shown in Figs. 6 and T, the tone arm 8 terminates in a pair of oppositely curved extensions 27 and These extensions are so arranged and curved that the sound vibrations entering either of-them will pass without interference into the tone arm. On'extension 27 is swivelled a curved tube 21, which carries a sni able form of sound box 9. The curved tube 21 and sound box 9 may be regarded as similar to the swivclled tube 21 and sound box 9 of the previously described tone arm 8. Fig. 6 shows the sound box 9' in playing position and Fig. 7 shows the curved tube 21' thrown back out of playing position. The extension 28 is normally closed by a cap 80 which may be held in place by friction or screw-threads or otherwise. \Vhen the cabinet is to be used for radio reception, the cap 30 is removed and the telephone receiver of the radio set is inserted into or onto the extension 28. This is shown in Fl 7, where T represents any suit ablcltelephone receiver. Any other suitable means may be used in place of the cap 30 for normally closing the extension 28. In fact, the receiver T might be left in position on the tone arm even when the cabinet is used as a plmnograph, since the weight of the receiver is not transmitted to the sound-box.

it will be noticed that the tubular'extensions 2i and on which the telephone receiver is mounted, are arranged entirely above the motor board. Consequently, these extensions are always visibly accessible for inserting or removing the telephone receiver, and when the receiver is in operative position on the extension it is always at hand for any adjustment that may be necessary or desirable. Most radio telephone receivers are adjustable to control the acoustic dutput, and it is therefore a practical advantage to have the re celver in a position of instant access. Fur-- theremore, by having the tone-arm extensions for the telephone receiver entirely above the motor board, no mutilation of this board is necessary to accommodate these extensions.

In the broader aspect of my invention, the tone arm 8 or 8 may be regarded as a soundconveying arm provided with a vibratory diaphragm and havingmeans for permitting attachment of-a telephone receiver without removal of the diaphragm and independently thereof to send the sound vibrations of the telephone receiver through the amplifying horn. The sound box 9 or 9 may be considered as permanently mounted on the tone arm. I do not mean by this that the sound box cannot be taken off the tone arm, but simply that it need not be removed to permitattachment of the telephone receiver.

As far as I am aware, I am the first to produce a combined radio and phonograph cabinet provided with valve-controlled means for acoustically connecting a loudspeaking telephone receiver of a radio set with the phonograph horn independently of the sound .box

and without removal thereof. Therefore, I claim this feature in a fundamental way. The particular constructions shown in draw ings are merely illustrative embodiments of this basic idea. Also, it will be clear that this feature of my invention may be used without the other features herein set forth.

It will be seen from the foregoing that my invention provides a unitary self-contained article of furniture in the form of'a cabinet which in itself, when properly equipped, constitutes a phonograph and a radio receiving apparatus, each complete in itself.

The practical advantages of this construction will be apparent to those skilled in the radio art. In the preferred embodiment, all the parts that go to make up a radio-receiving set are contained (and practically concealed) in a single piece of ornamental household furniture, that may be moved about in a room,

and exposed wirloopwires on the cabinet structure itself, no separatesupporting' frame for the loop is required. Thus,'lit is clear that by incorporating the loopin the cabinet, the operation of the radio set is simplified and improved, aside from the advantages of eliminating a separate piece of apparatus; ;'Where the entire cabinetrotates, as in theyform shown in the drawingsythe relation of loop and radio set remains fixed, thus obviating the disturbing effect liable to be produced when a loop is bodily adjustedrelativ'ely to the set itself.

. The phonograph mechanismin the cabinet is permanently combined with the 'radio mechanism in that the amplyfying horn 'con-.

nected with the sound box; also constitutes the concealed loudspeaker cf the" radio set. Al built-in horn,:like. tha t in a phonograph cabinet, is of? large amplifying power, and has beenfound to, ve a better re reduction than radio loudspea almost every;-;conceivable'-shape, ,jdesign and materiall' In my invention, -I utilize. the superior amplifying and'reproducing-power of aphonograph-horn-by combining phonograph mechanism with radio-receivingmechamsm in er horns heretofore made in the same cabinet in such a way'that the ampli fying horn, built into the cabinet, performs the double function of'amplifying the sounds tofore e acoustically. connected with the horn inde pendentljt from the phonograph reproducer and from the telephone receiver of the radio set. In thepre'fe form of my invention, as here- 1 ained, the telephone receiver is f thephonograph sound box and bother of having to take it oif.

Attentihn is called to the fact that in my new cabinet the radio mechanism does not destroy or impair the value of the cabinet as a phonograph. In fact, the phonograph is always inoperative condition. There are times and occasions when no radio broadcasting takes place or can be received, and-then the phonograph may be played, without disturbi gthe radio mechanism. As soon as'anythmgc'omes over the air, as radio fans put it, the radio telephone receiver'is connected with the phonograph horn in a moment.

ere are people who want a phonograph away with the cost of a separate frame for the loop and the cost of separate loudspeaker, besides the saving of other expenses necessary in a separate radio set.

The cabinet of my invention may be made -in its outward" appearance as ornamental and elaborate as desired. From the standpoint of-inanufacture, it wlll, perhaps, be

preferable to place the cabinet in the market with its full equipment of radio set, tele-- phone receiver and batteries. However, the cabinet may be sold without these parts, it being left to the purchaser to put his .own favorite type of radio set, receiver and batte'ries in the cabinet.v In that event, the terminals of the loopantenna L, which in the preferred form of my inventionis'practically a part of thecabinet itself, are left in position for ready connection with the radio set and batteries.

The particularconstruction of the antenna itself is immaterial. It may comprise one or more loops of wire, as shown, or it may con-. s-ist of a metallic strip or bar bent into one or g mo'reloops. So that, when I speak of a loop,

aerialor antenna in the broader aspect of my invention, I. mean any form of conducting member or members adapted to be mounted substantially, within the outer framework of the cabinetand constructed to act as a receivmgantenna.

Although I have-illustrated and described certain specific constructions, I want it understood that I have done so merely to explain my invention and not by way of limitation or restriction. It is obvious that the various features of my invention may be mechanically carried out inother ways than those herein set forth by way of illustration.

As far as I know, I am the first to provide a self-contained unitary structure consisting of a combined radio-receiving and phono-' graph cabinet constructed as a piece of household furniture and containing complete loud speaking radio-receiving mechanism, including a loop-mounted in the cabinet and an amp'lifying horn common to both mechanisms. 7 A

. I therefore'claim'this combination as broadly new. I

This case is a division of m copending application Serial Number 562,28,'filed May I claim as my invention:

1. Inasound-reproducing cabinet, thecom bination of a phonograph horn mounted in the cabinet and acoustically communicating with a tone arm having a reproducer, a radio telephone receiver, a rigid sound-conveying extension on the tone. arm for attaching said receiver to said extension without removal of the'reproducer, whereby the sound vibrations of said receiver are transmitted through the tone arm and thence through the horn, and a valve for controlling the acoustic conection of said receiver with said born.

2. Sound-reproducing apparatus comprising a phonograph horn, a tone arm connected with said horn and at its outer end carrying a phonograph reproducer, a rigid tubular. extension at'the outer end of said tone arm for supporting a telephone receiver without removal of the phonograph reproducer, and a rotary valve member mounted in .the'outer end of the tone arm for controlling the communication between said extension and said tone arm.

3. Sound-reproducing apparatus comprising a phonograph horn, a tone arm connected with said horn and at its outer end carrying a phonograph rcproducer, a rigid tubular extension at the outer end of said tone arm for supporting a telephone receiver without removal of the phonograph reproduce), and a cylindrical valve rotatably mounted in the outer end of the tone arm for controlling the communication between said extension and said tone arm.

4. In a phonograph, a tone arm provided with a rigid axial extension at its outer end for supporting a telephone receiver independently of the sound box and without removal thereof to transmit the vibrations of said receiver through said tone arm.

5. In a phonograph, a tone arm provided with means for acoustically connecting a telephone receiver with an arm independently of the sound box and without removal thereof to transmit the vibrations of said receiver through said tone arm, said means being inoperative When the sound box is in playing position, but being automatically rendered operative when the sound box is out of the playing position on the tone arm.

6. In a phonograph, a tone arm provided with two openings, a sound ,box journalled in one of said openings, and means for automatlcally closing the second opening when the sound box is in playing position and for uncovering said second opening when the sound box is moved out of playing position, whereby a telephone receiver may be acoustically connected to the tone arm through said un covered second opening independently of the sound box and without removal thereof.

7. In sound-reproducing apparatus, a

sound-conveying arm having a phonograph sound box permanently attached thereto, said armbeing provided with an offset portion having a normally closed opening substantially in line with the main or base portion of the tone arm, means whereby said opening may be uncovered. and a telephone receiver connected to said tone arm through said opening independently of the sound box and without'removal thereof, whereby the vibrations of the telephone receiver pas's directly through the main orbase portion of the tone arm.

8. In combined phonographic, and radio receiying apparatus, a tone arm having a.

sound box pivotally mounted thereon, an extension at the outer end of said tone arm, a telephone receiver mounted on said extension, said. sound box and. telephone receiver acoustic communication with said tone arm,

and a valve at the inner end of said neck for acoustically controlling one of said communications when the sound box is swung into and out of playing position.

10. In a sound reproducing apparatusthe combination of a sound amplifying horn, two branches acoustically connected with. said horn, a sound reproducing device connected to each branch, and a valve for automatically shutting off communication between one sound reproducing device and said horn upon a predetermined movement of the other sound reproducing device, said other sound .reproducing device being in communication with said horn,

11. In a sound reproducing apparatus the combination of a sound amplifying horn, means providing a pair of sound conduits acoustically connected with said horn, an acoustic device connected with each of said conduits, and a valve for controlling communication between said horn and at least one of said conduits, said valve being connected to the means forming the other of said conduits for movement therewith, said valve being arranged so that at any instant at least one of said sound conduits is in*communication with said horn.

I 12. In a sound reproducing apparatus the combination of a sound amplifying horn, a, pair of members forming sound conduits acoustically connected with said horn, at least one of said members being movable with respect to the other, a sound reproducing device connected to each of said members, and a valve for controlling communication between said horn and the acoustic conduit formed by one of said members, said valve being connected to the other member for movement therewith, wherebyat any instant at least one of said conduits is in communication with said horn.

13; A radio-phonograph combination c0mprisinga sound amplifying horn, a'member providing a sound conduit acoustically conmanually. operable rotary valve in said cylindrical mounting for controllin communication between said sound con uit and said tubular openings, said cylindrical mounting being positioned so that the axis of rotation of said valve is substantially at right angles to the axis of said sound conduit, and means for rotating said valve. 7,

14. A radio-phonograph combination coinprising a cabinet having a normally closed position, a sound am lifying horn enclosed in said normally close position, a sound conduit acoustically associated with said horn for conveying sound Waves thereto, a pair of tubular arms communicating with' said sound conduit, a sound reproducer connected to one of the tubular arms, a phonograph sound box connected to the other of saidtubular arms,

a cylindrical mounting at thejunction of said tubular arms ,and said sound conduit, a manually operable rotary valve in said cylindrical mounting for controllin tion to said sound conduit, said cylindrical mounting being arranged so that the axisof rotation of said valve is substantially at right angles to the axis of said sound conduit, and means for rotating said valve from a point outside of the normally closed portion of said cabinet.

ADOLPH ALEXANDER THOMAS.

communica. 

